April, 1940 - ACS Publications - American Chemical Society

One-fourth of the business of the ... visit various schools inoperationin Cleveland and other points ... series will have as its central theme “The ...
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isolated substances and materials. We fail in our duty to the pupils who come to us unless we can show them the principles of the science, applications of the scientific method of problem solving, and, more important in these days of subsidized indolence, a wholesome zest for, and appreciation of, the hard work that goes into science-a work which finds its security in adventure and personal initiative, rather than in legislation. In consumer education the school can conduct a constructive piece of work. One-fourth of the business

of the country is chemical in nature. This sets a challenge to teachers to keep informed of new developments, to interpret changes, and to sift facts from falsehood. Educational campaigns conducted by industrial interests should be used to further classroom activity while a scientific and critical attitude is maintained. In undertaking consumer education as a part of the chemistry course, chemistry teachers have a t once a large responsibility and an opportunity to revive popular interest in the study of chemistry.

ANNOUNCEMENTS SPECIAL CHEMISTRY COURSES FOR TEACHERS AT WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY SUMMER SESSION, 1940

THE Department of Chemistry of Western Reserve University, realizing the need for help and inspiration for the high-school teacher of chemistry, is offering in the summer session for 1940, beginning June 17, in cooperation with the Division of Chemical Education of the American Chemical Society, two special graduate courses, looking to the solution of two important problems of teaching chemistry in secondary schools. The first course, called "Work Shop in Chemistry" attacks the important problem of the minimum and optimum essentials in high-school chemistry, which the average normal pupil can accomplish. The second course has in mind the ultra-bright student, who chafes a t the slow pace of the average student and demands and should have extra curricular chemical activity. This course, styled "Demonstrations and Projects in High School Chemistry," is a seminar course to develop experiments and projects suitable for extra laboratory work for the brighter student and for science programs and assemblies. These courses are offered in the afternoons, giving plenty of time for study and for observation in the various summer high-school sessions in chemistry in Cleveland in the morning. Arrangements will be made for visiting teachers to visit various schools in operation in Cleveland and other points of interest. Teachers of chemistry, who take these courses, will have the opportunity to attend a series of sixteen lectures on current national and international issues in the Summer Institute on Current Affairs. The lecture series will have as its central theme "The Major Issues of 1940." The lecturers invited to participate in the series are chosen because of noteworthy contributions to the problems. For further information on these courses offered in

the Department of Chemistry, write the Summer Session, Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio.M. V. MCGILL. ANNUAL MEETING OF THE AMERICAN SCIENCE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION

The h e r i c a n Science Teachers Association held its seventh annual meeting in Columbus, Ohio, on December 27 and 28, 1939. The program included papers on synthetic rubber, the anti-scorbutic vitamin, junior academies, the role played by the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens in cooperation with the public schools, and the problems invaluable in placing science in general education a t the college level. A five-year science-art project in the form of a history of science in a mural painting was on exhibit and described. The retiring president, Dr. Walter B. Cannon, of the A. A. A. S. delivered the luncheon address. Officers elected for the year 1940 are: , President-HARRY A. CUNNINGHAM, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio. First Vice-President-HOMER W. LESOURD,Milton Academy, Milton, Massachusetts. Second Vice-President-RALPH K. WATKINS, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri. ~ ~ c ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ - D EM. B o RUSSELL, RAH State Teachers College, Framingham, Massachusetts. Treasurer-Lours J. MITCHELL, Dansville High School, Dansville, New York. M. V. MCGILL R.L. EBEL REPRESENTS DIVISION OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION

The Chairman of the Division of Chemical Education has appointed Mr. Robert L. Ebel, Edisou Institute, Dearborn, Michigan, as permanent member of the National Committee on Science Teaching, representing the Division of Chemical Education.-M. V. MCGILL.